Utah beats Georgetown to return to the Sweet 16

PORTLAND – Brandon Taylor envisioned Utah finding success in this season’s NCAA Tournament. He just didn’t know how good it would feel.

Taylor scored 14 points and Delon Wright added 12 and the fifth-seeded Runnin’ Utes beat No. 4 Georgetown 75-64 on Saturday night to earn the team’s first Sweet 16 berth in a decade.

Utah (26-8) will travel to Houston to play the winner of today’s game in Charlotte, North Carolina, between top-seeded Duke (30-4) and No. 8 San Diego State (27-8).

“I knew we were due at the beginning of the season, I just didn’t know how the feeling would be. I saw it: We have the personnel, we put the work in during the summer,” Taylor said. “But I just didn’t imagine what the feeling would be like. To experience it now, I’m lost for words.”

The Utes haven’t advanced to the Sweet 16 since 2005, when they fell as the No. 6 seed to No. 2 Kentucky. The team is making its first tournament appearance since 2009.

L.J. Peak led Georgetown (22-11) with 18 points.

“I’m disappointed, but I still have my head high,” said Georgetown’s Jabril Trawick, who had 10 points. “Surprisingly, I didn’t cry or anything. I had a great time. It’s been a great experience.”

Jordan Loveridge’s long jumper gave Utah a 57-53 lead late in the second half, but the Utes couldn’t quite pull away from the physical Hoyas. After Peak’s layup brought Georgetown within 61-57 with 3:06 left, Taylor nailed a 3-pointer.

Dakarai Tucker’s layup stretched Utah’s lead to 66-59 at the 1:40 mark and Georgetown couldn’t catch up.

“I never saw this coming,” Tucker said about heading to Houston. “This is really a dream come true.”